Prize containing game piece, related combinations and methods

ABSTRACT

An improvement for all games which incorporate the capturing of game (or playing) pieces as part of game play. A game piece set where each piece is hollow and has an access or opening to allow surprises to be inserted prior to play and removed during play. Surprises may include confections, toys, printed materials, currency, and other items designed or selected to fit inside game piece. Surprises are held inside game piece by an integrated (or attached) seal or detachable seal (such as a removable plug or cap). Game can be played on a standard game board. The factory, players, and/or caregivers fill the game pieces with surprises prior to start of game. The surprise remains concealed until game piece is captured during play; the seal is then opened by player, and the surprise is removed and enjoyed. Overall, the tangible surprise element serves as an immediate, fin, and exciting improvement to the game.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a utility patent application based on U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/563,296, filed Apr. 19, 2004,entitled Prize Containing Game Piece, Related Combinations and Methods,which is incorporated herein by this reference and made a part of thisapplication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to games of skill and more specificallyto game pieces for securing prizes that may be removed by a user,techniques and strategies for playing games of skill using such gamepieces, combinations of such game pieces and game packages containingthe same, and related methods.

2. Background Information

There is growing pressure for our children to excel in school and laterin work. Caregivers are very concerned over the state of education. Theyare also worried about their children's appetite for expensive, andincreasingly violent, video games, and/or for watching excessivetelevision.

Motivating children to move away from television and video games, andtowards learning and excelling, is often a difficult process. It is alsoa motivational process quite different from one used when motivatingadults. While adults look to motivation from financial or emotionaltools, children look to instant gratification as a primary motivationalmechanism. Thus, although caregivers are using ‘smart’ toys and games ofskill at unprecedented levels, motivating children to play theseclassic, affordable, familiar, and highly beneficial games of skill,including but not limited to such games as chess, tic-tac-toe, checkers,shogi, qiang xi, backgammon, memory games and tiddly-winks (hereinafterreferred to as “games”), is easier said than done.

Chess, for example, is one of the world's most popular board games, andit has existed for centuries. It is a proven provider of intellectualdevelopment benefits which are valued by, not only adult players, butalso children and their caregivers. Numerous studies have concluded thatchildren who play chess excel academically and in the development oftheir maturity. They develop critical thinking; logic, reasoning, andproblem solving abilities; memory, concentration and visualizationskills; confidence; patience; determination; poise; self-expression; andgood sportsmanship. Chess also improves their self-esteem.

However, children often view chess as complex, slow, boring, and“nerdy.” Chess is also a game that is complicated to teach due to theintricate rules and strategies associated with the game. Thus, it isdifficult to motivate children to play and to learn to play chess. Dueto the numerous benefits of games of skill such as chess, there is aneed for products and methods whereby games are more exciting,compelling and attractive to fill this underserved market and improvesociety as a whole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an improved game piece and combinationsthereof, as well as techniques and strategies for playing games of skillusing such game pieces, and combinations of game packages containingsuch improved game pieces, and related methods.

It is an object of this invention to provide a game piece having a basewith a first part and a second part which can be fitted together to forman internal chamber for securing a prize. The prize is capable of beingremoved by a user when desired.

The game piece also includes a design portion coupled with the base.Where the game piece is a component of a game having multiple differentpieces with non-uniform identity, the design portion may define theidentity of the game piece, thereby distinguishing the game piece fromother pieces.

In one embodiment the game piece is designed to be used in a specificgame. For example, if the game is chess, the design portion of such agame piece would define the identity of each given chess piece, forexample, as a pawn, rook, bishop, knight, queen, or king. Thus thepresent invention also relates to combinations of game pieces, such as acombination of game pieces that comprises a complete chess set.

In another embodiment the game piece is uniformly designed and theidentity of each game piece is defined by design elements such asimprinting, coloring, shrink-wrapping or otherwise wrapping the gamepiece with identifying indicia. In a further embodiment a plurality ofgame pieces are manufactured and contained in one package. The packagingis such that each game piece is capable of being individually separatedfrom the packaging to form an individual game piece.

In each embodiment of the invention, the game pieces include an internalchamber for securing a prize. A prize can be secured or hidden in thegame piece by placing the prize in the internal chamber, and the prizecan be removed by a user at a selected time. One selected time may beupon capture of a game piece during game play. In this regard, the gamepieces of the invention allow the combination of a conventional gamewith a reward mechanism, thereby making the game more fun, surprisingand rewarding.

It is another object of this invention to provide packaging whichcontains a game utilizing the game pieces currently described. Such agame package includes a container, a plurality of game pieces, each gamepiece including a base having a first part and a second part which canbe fitted together to form an internal chamber for securing a prize,where the prize is capable of removal by a user, and a design portioncoupled with the base and extending upward. The game package may furtherinclude a set of instructions for directing a user in operating a gamepiece, for example, instructing the user to add or remove a prize to agame piece. The game package may further include a plurality of prizes.The prizes in the plurality of prizes of a game package can each beindividually secured in separate game pieces, or the prizes can beseparate from the game pieces, such in a separate container. The gamepackage may further include an incentive chart or graph which allows auser to display prizes and track the progress of game previously playedby a user. In one embodiment, the game is a smaller version and isportable.

Therefore, in one aspect, the present invention increases the interestof children in learning and playing highly beneficial “intellectualdevelopment” games of skill.

It is another aspect the current invention provides a novel, attractive,game package which includes the “prize-inside” or “surprise-inside”additional enjoyment and benefit value for the players.

It is another object of this invention to provide a package for treatsand collectibles which contains a game utilizing the treats andcollectables as prizes contained with the game pieces and which may beconsumed by the user after using them to complete a selected portion ofa game.

Another aspect of the invention provides an easy to operate filling andremoving (or dispensing) mechanism for prizes, wherein the prizes aresecured in an internal chamber of a game piece, such as a chess piece.

Another aspect of this invention is to not change any of the standardrules of a game. It is meant only to enhance the game by the additionalsteps of incorporating the novel playing pieces and prizes. However, insome embodiments a piece may contain a prize that includes aninstruction for an additional step, such as to add a piece back to theplaying board or directing a player to solve a puzzle or riddle. Aspecial teaching method and exercise instruction booklet, orinstructions, which incorporates this invention can also be part of thegame package.

Another aspect of the current invention is to offer a wide range ofancillary “Game Piece Surprise Refills” packages to serve a wide rangeof customer preferences. The prize refills are designed to fit insidethe game pieces.

Another aspect of this invention is to offer a special series of prizeswhich include special round collector's coins which have one sideprinted with a game piece symbol. For example, for chess, the idea wouldbe to collect all thirty-two coins (each representing one game piece‘character’)—front side is a illustrated chess character, backside has achess symbol underneath a sticker/stamp which is removed for enjoymentor placed in a collector's sticker book. Coins can be collected and/orplayed with on a standard chessboard. This aspect would be light andgreat for traveling, playing at cafe's, etc.

Another aspect is to offer surprise secret codes to entice players to goonline and interact with puzzles, games, and sweepstakes/contests forprizes while collecting data on their needs and preferences.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary chess game pieces in accordance with thepresent invention, with internal chambers exposed.

FIG. 2 illustrates how a first part and second part of the game pieceare fitted together to form an exemplary game piece of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 illustrates the exemplary game piece of the present inventionshown in FIG. 2, with the internal chamber exposed.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b illustrate an exemplary game piece according anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a plurality of game pieces ofthe invention.

FIGS. 6 a-g illustrate various exemplary game pieces, shown as checkerpieces, according to an embodiment of the invention, with FIG. 6 aillustrating the game piece with internal chamber exposed; FIG. 6 billustrating two game pieces in a “queening position, which is typicallydefined as the first game piece being positioned directly on top of thesecond game piece; FIG. 6 c illustrating the two game pieces shown inFIG. 6 b with internal chambers exposed; FIG. 6 d illustrating theexterior of an exemplary game piece; FIG. 6 e illustrating a plug of theexemplary game piece; FIG. 6 f illustrating the game piece with internalchamber exposed; and FIG. 6 g illustrating the exterior of the gamepiece.

FIG. 7 illustrates various exemplary prizes according to the invention.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary game package in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary prize according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based on making new and existing games of skillmore fun, interactive, and rewarding by incorporating game pieces whichhold prizes. It is obvious that the present invention may be used inconnection with games of skill such as chess, checkers, backgammon,shogi and qiang xi, though it may be well employed in connection withother games, such as memory games, tiddly-winks, etc. (hereinafterreferred collectively to as “game” or “games.”) For the sake ofsimplicity, the present invention will hereinafter be described withrespect to the games of chess or checkers. However, it is to beunderstood that the invention is applicable to any game, whethercurrently or hereinafter existing.

The present invention does not have to change any of the standard rulesof a game. It is meant only to enhance a game by the additional steps ofincorporating the novel playing pieces and prizes 20 described in detailherein. However, in some embodiments, a game piece 10 may contain aprize 20 that includes instructions for additional steps to a game, suchas to add a piece back to the playing board or directing a player tosolve a puzzle or riddle. In some embodiments, the game piece 10 maycontain a prize 20 that may be used separate from the game being played,such as a trading card or token.

The prizes 20 used in connection with the game pieces 10 of the presentinvention should not be limited, and may include such prizes 20 asedible treats (including, but not limited to, confections, dried fruit,nuts, and the like); non-edible treats and collectibles (exemplarycollectibles are shown in FIG. 7 and include, but are not limited to,printed materials such as illustrated stickers, text messages, puzzles,tokens, riddles, fortunes, coins, toys, toy components, currency, etc.)Additionally, a prize 20 may include an instruction for an additionalstep, such as to add a piece back to the playing board or direct aplayer to solve a puzzle or riddle. Thus, the prizes 20 can includeanything that a user would desire, enjoy and/or motivate a user to playa game, and would thereby make capturing and opening a game piece 10even more desirable to the user then capturing a traditional game piecelacking a prize 20. While the prize-holding game pieces 10 adapt well togames where the capturing of the opponent's pieces occurs, the use ofthe present invention should not be limited. By coupling a prize 20 withgame piece capture in playing the game, desirability on the part of theuser to learn and excel at the game is increased. The more complex thegame is, the greater the need for the invention.

The invention includes a game piece 10 capable of securing a prize 20.As shown in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and 6,the game piece 10 preferably includes a base 12 with a first part 14 anda second part 16 which can be fitted together to form an internalchamber 22 for securing a prize 20. The game pieces 10 may be made ofany suitable material such as wood, ivory, plastic, etc. The prize 20 iscapable of being removed by a user when desired.

The game piece 10 of the first embodiment also includes a design portion18 coupled with the base 12. The design portion 18 may extend upwardfrom the base 12 or may be an integrated as part of the base 12 itself.The design portion 18 of the game piece 10 may vary depending on thegame. For example, where the game piece 10 is a component of a gamehaving multiple different pieces with non-uniform identity, such aschess, the design portion 18 may define the identity of the game piece10, thereby distinguishing the game piece 10 from other pieces 10. FIG.1 shows games pieces 10 in accordance with the present invention,wherein the design portion 18 identifies both pieces as rooks used inconnection with the game of chess. Alternatively, where the game piece10 is a component of a game having multiple game pieces 10 with uniformidentity, such as in the game of checkers, the design portion 18 may notbe distinguishable or, instead, may be distinguishable through the useof colors or other indicia. FIGS. 6 a-6 g illustrate various game pieces10 wherein the game pieces 10 are checker pieces and the design portionhas a uniform identity.

Where the design portion 18 of the game piece 10 is uniform, theidentity of the game piece 10 may be defined by shrink-wrapping orotherwise extending around the design portion 18 of the game piece 10.In this optional embodiment, the design extending around the designportion 18 may be generic designs or other arbitrary forms selected fortheir aesthetic or artistic values, and incorporating various colors ordesigns such as hearts, flowers, animals, stars, etc. The designextending around the design portion 18 may also indicate the piece itrepresents. For example, in chess, the letter K could indicate a king, Na knight, Q a queen, etc. Further, the design extending around thedesign portion 18 may also include specific characters such as DISNEY®characters, HANNA-BARBERA® characters, or SESAME STREET® characters forexample.

In a second embodiment of the game piece 10, and as shown in FIG. 5, aplurality of game pieces 10 are manufactured as one package. Thepackaging should be such that each game piece 10 is capable of beingindividually separated from the packaging to form an individual gamepiece 10. The game pieces 10 shown in FIG. 5 may be used in connectionwith any game, but are preferably used in connection with a travel orportable version of a game.

The identity of each game piece 10, as illustrated in FIG. 5, may bedefined by any number of methods. The identity may be printed on theunderside of the game piece 10. For example, in chess, the letter Kcould indicate a king, N a knight, Q a queen, etc. The identity of thegame piece 10 may also be identified by stamping or otherwise embossingthe shape or identity of the game piece 10 on the game piece itself. Thepackaging of each individual game piece 10 may also be clear ortransparent, thereby allowing the user to view a prize 20 contained inthe game piece 10. The prize 20 may then be colored, designed, embossedor otherwise manufactured to identify the game piece 10. In a furtherembodiment, the packaging of each individual game piece 10 is opaque andfurther colored to identify the game piece 10 without disclosing theprize 20 contained therein. For example, a checkers game piece may beopaque red or black.

Referring to FIG. 1, in each embodiment of the invention, the gamepieces 10 include an internal chamber 22 for securing a prize 20. Aprize 20 can be secured or hidden in the game piece 10 by placing theprize 20 in the internal chamber 22, and the prize 20 can be removed bya user at a selected time, such as upon capture of a game piece 10during game play. In some games, the user must consume the prizes 20that are captured. For example, in one embodiment, the user thatcaptures a game piece 10 may consume the prize contained therein,whereas in another embodiment, when a user captures a game piece 10, theother user consumes the prize 20 contained therein. Accordingly, it willbe appreciated that the present invention, in accordance with at leastone aspect thereof, provides a unique form of game-playing thatincorporates an additional level of strategy and adds a motivationalincentive to win the game.

Various configurations of an internal chamber 22 are availableincluding, for example, a hollow body having a single access region,such as the embodiment of an internal chamber 22 shown in FIG. 1. Inthis regard, the game pieces 10 of the invention allow the combinationof a conventional game with a reward mechanism, thereby making the gamemore fun, surprising and rewarding.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the game pieces 10 are chess pieces,and specifically, are queens. Thus, the design portion 18 of such a gamepiece 10 defines the identity of the given chess piece. Where gamepieces 10 are chess pieces, a game piece 10 may include, for example, apawn, rook, bishop, knight, queen, or king. Thus the present inventionalso relates to combinations of game pieces 10, such as a combination ofgame pieces 10 that comprises a complete chess set. The game pieces areutilized on a playing surface, which is preferably a board 140 (see FIG.8). A playing surface can be a traditional playing surface or a modifiedplaying surface. Various traditional and modified playing surfaces willbe readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

The base 12 of a game piece 10 comprises a first part 14 and a secondpart 16 which can be fitted together to form the internal chamber 22 forsecuring a prize 20. The purpose of the second part 16 is to hold theprize 20 contents in the game piece 10. In an optional embodiment, suchas when the game pieces are used to play checkers, and as shown in FIGS.3 a and 3 b, the second part 16 is a removable cap that can be fittedtogether with the first part 14, thereby covering the access region. Inanother optional embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 e, the second part 16 isa removable plug which may be manufactured to fit inside the first part14. In a further optional embodiment, the first part 14 and second part16 form a one-piece base 12. The prize 20 is removed from the one-piecebase 12 by squeezing or otherwise manipulating the base to open a slotin the base, thereby allowing the prize 20 to be removed from the base12 of the game piece 10. To secure a prize within the base 12 of thegame piece, a user squeezes or otherwise manipulates the base to openthe slot, thereby allowing the user to insert a prize 20 into the gamepiece 10.

Various means for securing together a first part 14 and a second part 16are available including, but not limited to, press-fitting, screwing,threading, snap-on action, adhesion, hook and loop means such as Velcro,magnetism, bolting, and sliding. FIGS. 4 a and 4 b also show anotherembodiment of the game piece 10 of the present invention where thesecond part 16 is a cap. FIG. 4 a shows a top view of a cap. Anotherview of a cap, as used with a game such as checkers, is illustrated inFIG. 6 e.

A base 12 of a game piece 10 of the present invention is illustrated inFIG. 1. A base 12 includes a first part 14 and a second part 16, whichcan be fitted together to form an internal chamber 22.

Another embodiment of a game piece 10 according to the present inventionis shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b. The game piece 10 includes a designportion 18 and a base 12. The design portion 18 and the base 12 can bedetachable, and capable of being coupled about a joint 26, for example.The base 12 further includes a first part 14 and a cap, where the firstpart 14 and the cap are tethered together by a hinge 24. The cap andfirst part 14 can be present in an open configuration, as shown, or thecap can be rotated about the hinge 24 to fit together with the accessregion, thereby forming an internal chamber 22 for securing a prize 20.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides packaging whichcontains a game utilizing the game pieces 10 currently described (see,for example, FIG. 8). Preferably this game package 100 includes acontainer 110, a plurality of game pieces 10, each game piece 10including a base 12 having a first part 14 and a second part 16 whichcan be fitted together to form an internal chamber 22 for securing aprize 20, where the prize 20 is capable of removal by a user, and adesign portion 18 coupled with the base 12 and extending upward. Thegame package 100 may further include a set of instructions 120 fordirecting a user in operating a game piece 10, for example, instructingthe user to add or remove prize 20 to a game piece 10. The game packagecan further include a plurality of prizes 20. The prizes 20 of the gamepackage can each be individually secured in separate game pieces 10, orthe prizes 20 can be separate from the game pieces 10, such in aseparate container. In addition, the game package 100 may also include aboard 140 upon which the game may be conducted using the plurality ofgame pieces 10. The board 140 may be any conventional board used to playthe game to which the packaging is directed, most boards in the industrybeing typically made of cardboard or similar non-metallic insulatingmaterial. The game package 100 may further include an incentive chart orgraph which allows a user to display prizes and track the progress ofgame previously played by a user. In an optional embodiment, the gamepackage 100 may also operate as the board 140.

Optionally, the packaging, and game utilizing the game pieces 10therein, may be manufactured in order to provide for convenient storageand transfer, as well as a method by which the game may be played whiletraveling. In this optional embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 5, aplurality of game pieces 10 are manufactured and contained in onepackage. However, the packaging should be such that each game piece 10may be individually separated from the packaging to form an individualgame piece 10.

In another optional embodiment, the prizes 20 may be contained in aseparate container 130, as shown in FIG. 9. Offering a wide range ofancillary “Game Piece Surprise Refills” packages serves a wide range ofcustomer preferences by allowing users to select the prizes 20 to beoffered in connection with the game. It also allows the game pieces 10to be refilled with prizes 20, thereby allowing for repeated use of thegames making use of the game pieces 10 of the present invention.

The benefits associated with the game pieces 10 of the present inventioninclude, but are not limited to, the following:

-   -   Immediate Reward: an enjoyable surprise integral to game.    -   Surprise: highly motivational and rewarding for children.    -   Excitement: adds a new, fin dimension (or step) to the        experience of capturing a piece.    -   Novel: unobvious enhancement to having more fun in learning and        playing game    -   Flexible: may fill game pieces with edible, and non-edible        treats which may be collectible, tradable, and/or playable.    -   Intellectual Development: Interest of children playing game is        increased and playing games of skill may result in the increased        intellectual development of children.    -   Other Benefits:        -   Weight/Size: provides an inexpensive and fun way to increase            height and weight which is widely desired by players and            commonly found in more expensive game sets (e.g., chess            players prefer weighted pieces).        -   Social Benefit: Helps make kids smarter; smarter kids=better            world.        -   Speed: Kids will learn and improve faster given the enhanced            interest in playing.        -   Ease of Use: Makes chess easier to learn as it helps the            child focus more on the game.        -   Improves market penetration and acceptance for existing            games (e.g., chess)

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferredembodiment thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” areintended to be inclusive and mean that there are one or more of theelements. The terms “comprising,” “including” and “having” are intendedto be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements otherthan the listed elements.

The terms and expressions that have been employed in the foregoingspecification are used as terms of description and not of limitation,and are not intended to exclude equivalents of the features shown anddescribed or portions of them. The scope of the invention is defined andlimited only by the claims that follow.

1. A game piece, comprising: A base having a first part and a secondpart which can be fitted together to form an internal chamber forsecuring a prize, where the prize is capable of removal by a user; and adesign portion coupled with the base.
 2. The game piece of claim 1,where the design portion is directed upward from the base.
 3. The gamepiece of claim 1, where the game piece is chosen from a group consistingof: a chess piece; a checker piece; a shogi piece; a qiang xi piece; atiddly-winks piece; a memory game piece; a backgammon piece; and atic-tac-toe piece.
 4. The game piece of claim 2, where the designportion defines the identity of the game piece.
 5. The game piece ofclaim 1, where the first part is a hollow body having a single accessregion.
 6. The game piece of claim 5, where the second part is chosenfrom a group consisting of: a removable cap; and a removable plug. 7.The game piece of claim 6, where the removable cap or removable plug canbe fitted together with the first part, thereby covering the accessregion.
 8. The game piece of claim 7, where the first part and theremovable cap or removable plug are fitted together by press-fitting,screwing, threading, snap-on action, adhesion, hook and loop means,magnetism, bolting, or sliding.
 9. The game piece of claim 1, whereinthe first part and second part of the base have complementary hollowbodies.
 10. The game piece of claim 1, further comprising a prizesecured in the internal chamber.
 11. The game piece of claim 1, where aplurality of game pieces are manufactured in one package, the pluralityof game pieces capable of being individually removed from the package toform individual game pieces.
 12. The game piece of claim 10, wherein theprize is capable of being removed from the internal chamber.
 13. Thegame piece of claim 12, wherein after removal of the prize from theinternal chamber, a new prize is secured in the internal chamber. 14.The game piece of claim 1, wherein shrink-wrap extends around the designportion of the game piece.
 15. The game piece of claim 1, wherein thefirst part and the second part form a one-piece base, and a prize iscapable of being inserted into the internal chamber by squeezing orotherwise manipulating the one-piece base.
 16. A game package,comprising: (a) A container; (b) a plurality of game pieces, each gamepiece comprising a base having a first part and a second part which canbe fitted together to form an internal chamber for securing a prize,where the prize is capable of removal by a user, and a design portioncoupled with the base and extending upward; and (c) a set ofinstructions for instructing the player to fill or remove a game piecewith a prize.
 17. The game package of claim 16, further comprising aplurality of prizes.
 18. The game package of claim 16, furthercomprising a game playing surface.
 19. The game package of claim 16wherein the plurality of game pieces are manufactured in one package,the plurality of bases capable of being individually removed from thepackage to form individual game pieces.
 20. A method of packaging a gamepiece for sale and use in a game, comprising: (a) providing a container;(b) providing a plurality of game pieces, each game piece comprising abase having a first part and a second part which can be fitted togetherto form an internal chamber for securing a prize, where the prize iscapable of removal by a user, and a design portion coupled with the baseand extending upward; and (c) providing a set of instructions forinstructing the player to fill or remove a game piece with a prize. 21.The method of claim 20, further comprising providing a plurality ofprizes.
 22. The method of claim 20, further comprising providing a gameplaying surface.
 23. Method of motivating children to learn games ofskill, using at least one game piece as described in claim
 1. 24. Methodof motivating children to learn games of skill, using a game package asdescribed in claim 15.